BCC Earns Berth In National Championship Tournament

Top-Ranked Women's Soccer Team Savors Win

POPLARVILLE, MISS. – Using a first-half barrage of three goals the Brevard Community College women’s soccer team earned a berth in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament with a 4-0 victory over host Pearl River Community College on Saturday in Poplarville, Miss.

Sophomore goalkeeper Julia Kantor had three saves for BCC in the Titans 4-0 victory over Pearl River on Saturday. (Image by John M. Egan)

The victory also earned BCC the NJCAA District H title to go with the Florida College System Activities Association Southern Conference and NJCAA Region 8 crowns it earned during the regular season.

BCC, now 13-1 and ranked No. 1 in the country in the NJCAA Division I poll, joins 11 other teams from around the country in the NJCAA tournament that begins play at 9 a.m. on Nov. 12 at Melbourne Central Catholic High School.

The championship game will be played at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17 at MCC.

The victory also earned BCC, which is in its third season as a program, a bit of redemption after falling one goal short of qualifying for the national tournament in 2011.

Sophomore co-captain Lois Edvardsson and fellow sophomore Courtney Hueston both scored their 12th goals of the season in the first half while freshman Amanda Lodge also found the net for a 3-0 halftime lead.

Hueston, Edvardsson and Lodge also recorded first-half assists and Edvardsson assisted Sue Kumaning’s header seven minutes into the second half off a corner kick for the final 4-0 margin.

BCC celebrated with the District H trophy and by spray painting head coach Jeff Carr’s hair blue.

“We all remember that bus ride home (last year),” Carr said. “This is for our girls that aren’t here. Our hearts all beat as one. The team, players who haven’t usually started played, we’re getting players back at the right time.

“It’s all about the team. I am so proud of them and excited that we have the opportunity to represent Brevard. Hosting the tournament and as the tournament director I’m thrilled that we’re actually getting to play in it.”

The tournament seeding should be completed by Tuesday with Brevard being the presumptive top seed based on its No. 1 ranking.

For Edvardsson, the victory meant a lot.

“I’ve been so confident, but to see us step out here and play with confidence, everyone played so well today,” she said.

“I think nationals, the other teams have to watch out.”

The victory also was sweet for sophomore Gabby Jaimes who was among the players who stepped up after BCC’s mid-season spate of injuries cost it several starters and key reserves.

“It means a lot,” Jaimes said. “This team has worked so hard. We did it for each other. Everyone, even the freshmen, we all pulled together and did this. After all those injuries a lot of people had to step up. Everyone was nervous but in the end everyone showed the kind of player they could be. We’re a great team together.”